Virginia Argus

FOR THE MONITOR.

MR. ROBERT FULTON,
INVENTOR OF THE TORPEDO, IMPROVED STEAM BOATS, &c. &c.

DEAR SIR,

Sensations arising from a habitual reverence and respect for superior genius and talents, induces me to address you on the present occasion. The first impression made upon my mind, on reading an account of the astonishing effects of your Torpedo in destroying a brig of 200 tons at a blast, was, that we should by the application of this wonderful machine, be able to destroy the whole British navy, should they have the temerity to venture into our waters, and thus completely secure ourselves against any attempt to destroy our sea-port towns with their shipping. But the great consolation yielded by contemplating the advantages to be derived from this mode of defence in case of a war, I found deeply mingled with regret for the indiscriminate destruction of so many thousands of our fellow men; and this regret increased to a painful degree, when reflection brought into full view the different descriptions of men, which at this time compose the crews of British men of war, a great proportion of them are the oppressed and degraded though naturally noble hearted Hibernians, compelled by a combination of the most detestable causes, to fill up a space, and act a part at which their very hearts and souls revolt; and who, if they were encouraged, would instantly prove their devotion to the rights and liberties of mankind, by embracing the first opportunity to fly to our standard, and defend those principles under the protection of our government and our country. Another portion of their crews are the honest and oppressed Englishmen, (the devoted victims of a despotism and a tyranny which have long overwhelmed their much to be deplored country) who also languish to be emancipated, and to enjoy the pure air of freedom with us; and lastly, there are our own brothers, friends, and fellow citizens, cruelly torn from under our flag, from their property, their connexions, their liberties, and all that is valuable and dear to man in civilized society; and inhumanly compelled to linger out their days under the curses, reproaches and stripes of those barbarian officers, who exult in oppressing them. And shall we place the Torpedo under their feet at a moment when their hearts are palpitating with joy at the sight of their native fields, perhaps the smoke of their own, or their fathers' chimney; send them too, to an endless eternity, and thus forever blast the prospect and the hopes of the fathers, the mothers, the wives and the children, whose prayers, and whose tears are now recording at the throne, of an all powerful and an avenging God?

Under the influence of these considerations, permit me sir to suggest another plan upon the practicability and effects of which, I beg the favor of your opinion.

PLAN.

We will presume on a law to be passed by congress, offering as a reward to the crews of British men of war, who shall rise upon their officers, take the ships, bring them into our ports, and deliver them to the government, a bounty of two thousand dollars a gun, to be divided equally among those of the crew, (marines and sailors) who shall have aided and assisted in bringing her into port. And for the complete security and comfortable maintenance of those who may choose to become citizens of the United States, and reside in the interior, a further compensation may be given to each man of one hundred dollars, and 100 acres of land, or the value thereof in money, and in cases where any of the officers may join with the crew, there shall be an additional reward, besides their shares of the prize money for the ship, for the non-commissioned officers, including those of the marines, 200 dollars, and 200 acres of land, for the commissioned officers, 400 dollars, and 400 acres of land. And in cases where ships are taken from the officers, and run on shore and stranded, the crew, or those of it which revolted, and caused the ship to be destroyed, shall be entitled to all they can make out of the ship, her tackle, guns &c. the bounty in money and land shall be the same as in cases where the ships are brought into port and delivered up to the government. In order to excite such revolting crews to acts of humanity and forbearance toward their officers, it may be further enacted, that when a revolt is not opposed with force and arms by the officers of the ship, and any of them shall be killed by the crew through malice or revenge, the person or persons perpetrating such crime, shall have
to part or share in the prize money or bounty, as granted by this act. Provided, that when there are no American citizens forcibly detained by impressment or otherwise, on board such revolting ship, and the officers shall oppose the crew with force and arms, that for every commissioned officer, whose life shall be spared and shall receive humane treatment of the crew, the sum of fifty dollars, and for non-commissioned officers the sum of forty dollars shall be allowed, which sum shall be divided among the ten principal promoters and leaders of the plan of revolt, which shall be determined by the vote of the crew.

And it may be further provided, that when any American citizen or citizens, seamen or others, shall be forcibly detained on board any British ship of war, by impressment or otherwise, at the time of revolt, or within two months previous thereto, that the officers of such ship shall, and they are hereby declared to lose all the benefits of this protecting clause.

And it may be further provided, that every such surviving officer of such revolted ship, having impressed Americans on board, shall, at the public market place in the port where the said ship may arrive, or at the county jail, as may be most convenient, receive one hundred lashes each, on his bare back, with a cat o'nine tails, well laid on, by every such impressed American citizen, as may be on board at the time of the revolt, and for two months previous thereto. Provided, nevertheless, that such officers as may have joined in the revolt, shall be exempt from the aforesaid corporal punishment.

It may also be provided, that the officers of marines and privates who shall join with the seamen in taking any ship as aforesaid, shall, if they choose, after receiving their prize money and bounty, in land and money, be taken into the land service of the United States in the land forces.

It may also be provided, that the naval officers and men after they have delivered up the ship, shall immediately receive their prize money and their bounty in land and cash, and if they choose be entered into the gun boat, dock yard, or such other service as will secure them against any future hazard of being taken.